Newly merged Red Cross branches name new CEO

The newly merged Red Cross branches in the Western New York and Finger Lakes Regions have a new leader.

Nancy Blaschak has been named regional CEO of Red Cross in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region. Blaschak has been with the Red Cross since 1979, serving as regional executive for Western New York for the past 21 years.

“I cannot think of anyone more qualified to lead the (organization) than Nancy Blaschak,” said Gail DeNicola, American Red Cross division vice president for the Northeast. “Her expertise and years of experience will help make the Red Cross an even stronger presence in both communities going forward.”

Blaschak has led the Red Cross response to several large-scale incidents, including the October Surprise storm of 2006 and the crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence, Erie County. More recently she directed the Hurricane Sandy Long Term Recovery Project in New York City.

Blaschak said she was honored to be given the opportunity to lead the organization and is excited to bring the Red Cross into “an exciting new era.”

“By combining our resources, we will be able to improve upon the disaster preparedness and response, assistance to military members and their families, health and safety training, blood services and other community services that residents in both the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions have come to expect from their local Red Cross,” she said.